Mixed Media Self-Portraits- an investigation of materials

One of my favorite classes to teach is my Painting class. Students have to take the department's introductory art class beforehand, but that is the only prerequisite. That means I usually have a couple of kids who are really interested in art and trying to squeeze in as many classes in their schedules and also that I have a bunch of kids who need one more art class to fulfill a graduation requirement and either half-remember me always mentioning Painting when I was their Basics of Art teacher or heard the class was fun and decided to try it. However they got there, I always have a real mix of ability and ages- sophomores through seniors. It was hard at first to try and come up with projects that were accessible to all levels of students, but I have learned over the years that the more open ended they are the easier it is to engage students of all skill levels.
 One such project is a mixed-media self-portrait. After a few projects using watercolor and investigating color theory we switch over to acrylic paint. I show them this slide show of mixed media work for inspiration on materials and methods.

 

They ask a lot of questions about what material these paintings are on and if we have that kind of stuff lying around the art room. Often we do or we can get it quite easily. I've had students get really

excited about working on alternative materials- I have a student working on an old drum head right now! A few years ago a student brought in an old floor length mirror to work on:

Mixed Media Self- Portrait by Natalie

Because I have such a wide range of students with varying abilities some of them are very comfortable just painting themselves from observation:

 

 

Self-Portrait by Tim 

 

 

 

 

Others want to use photographs or themselves and the grid or sometimes photoshop to break down their image into values:

Mary Jane working on her mixed media portrait

When I first started teaching I made everyone draw themselves from observation- this is fine for some students, but not for all. The students with less experience were intimidated and dreaded the project. This obviously was not working so I have loosened up over the years and let students use whatever tools they need to create a likeness that they are happy with. In the end it is even more about the process than the result, so I'd like for it to be a positive experience.

Here are some examples of this project from over the years.

Grace

Shauna

Aimee

Sam

   

This is a close up of Aimee's..she made all the hair with thread woven through pins

Rachel wanted to use the funnies from the paper

Tom got so into his painting he decided to use the same image as a basis for a mosaic done in another class.

 We just started this semester's last week. I've had a bunch of kids borrow the camera to get photos of themselves they are happy with, and a bunch just grab mirrors and begin. Some are a little unsure exactly how they will proceed...so I've had them just work on building up a surface.

This student was very hesitant about this project! she compromised by agreeing to do her silhouette. She ended up happy with the results. This has really been one of my favorite projects to do with students over the years!

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